She hopes the award helps more girls strive to achieve in the male-dominated world of science.

She was awarded the “no strings attached” money for her work in optical physics. She will use the money for research involving “bending” light around tiny objects.

Lipson, whose partner, father and twin sister are all scientists, said the lack of women in her career has made her lonely at times. “The number of women goes down as you go up the ladder,” she said.

According to 2009 U.S. Department of Labor statistics, the highest percentage of women in 10 science, technology, math and engineering careers was found in biological sciences, at about 52 percent. The lowest was mechanical engineering, where less than 10 percent were women.

Naming Lipson a “genius” makes her an important role model for girls discouraged from pursing science, math and related fields.

And then there will be more people who can explain to the rest of us how light bends.